USC linebacker Anthony Sarao, left, and cornerback Chris Hawkins tackle Colorado running back Tony Jones during Saturday’s game at the Coliseum. Sarao led USC with 12 tackles against Colorado last week and ranks fourth on the team with 41 tackles. He also has two pass breakups and an interception.

LOS ANGELES – USC linebacker Anthony Sarao has played more than 200 snaps the past two weeks, including special teams and plays nullified by penalty. He’s in great physical shape.

But it’s Sarao’s mind that fuels his stamina and allows him to play at a high level when others might succumb to fatigue.

“He’s very detailed,” USC linebackers coach Peter Sirmon said. “He plays with a great amount of pride. He asks a ton of questions. He hates making a mistake more than one time.

“I love that football’s important to him. He’s always on time. He’s taking notes. He sits in the front of the room. He does those things that no one else sees.”

The way Sarao sees it, every player who comes to USC is blessed with talent. The fourth-year junior from Egg Harbor Township, N.J., tries to distinguish himself by being studious and responsible.

“If you’re not taking (care) of your assignments and (keep) making the same mistake twice, you’re not going to play,” Sarao said.

Sarao led No. 20 USC (5-2 overall, 4-1 Pac-12) with 12 tackles against Colorado last week. Entering Saturday’s game at No. 19 Utah (5-1, 2-1), he ranks fourth on the team with 41 tackles. He also has two pass breakups and an interception.

Sarao was supposed to split time at “Will” inside linebacker with Lamar Dawson. But Dawson isn’t playing this season because of a knee injury, leaving only sophomore Michael Hutchings and freshman Olajuwon Tucker behind Sarao and fellow inside ’backer Hayes Pullard.

Sarao played 129 snaps against Arizona two weeks ago. The Wildcats operate as fast as any team in the country, so he didn’t have time to think about how much he was playing. He wouldn’t have anyway.

“If you think you’re going to lose, you’re going to lose,” Sarao said. “So you’ve just got to go out there with a good ‘Fight On’ mindset.”

Depth issues aside, Sarao wouldn’t play as much as he does if the coaches didn’t trust him. He has earned every rep he gets.

“He really prepares himself mentally and physically every single day,” USC coach Steve Sarkisian said. “He’s a very reliable guy. We know we can count on him.”

RECEIVER REDUCTION

Entering the season, wide receiver was USC’s deepest position. Now depth at that spot is becoming a concern.

The Trojans had only three fully healthy recruited scholarship receivers at the end of Wednesday’s practice: Nelson Agholor, JuJu Smith and Darreus Rogers.

George Farmer and Ajene Harris aren’t completely recovered from hamstring injuries that have forced them to miss one and three games, respectively. Steven Mitchell came off the bench to score his first career touchdown last week, but he left practice because of what Sarkisian described as “a little twinge.”

Mitchell missed last season after having surgery on his right knee. His right leg was propped up on a table after he got hurt Wednesday.

“We’ve just got to manage our guys really well,” Sarkisian said, “and make sure we’re as fresh as we can be for Saturday night.”

USC lost receiver Victor Blackwell last month when he decided to leave the team. Additionally, the coaching staff moved freshmen Adoree’ Jackson and Rahshead Johnson to cornerback, which at the time was in greater need of reinforcements.

QUICK HITS

Linebacker Hayes Pullard returned to first-team duty after being limited Tuesday. He took a hard shot to his right knee vs. Colorado. … Safety Gerald Bowman again was limited because of a sprained foot. … Fullback Soma Vainuku again dressed but did very little work. A key special-teamer, Vainuku missed last week’s game because of a hamstring injury. … Jackson, who missed most of last week’s game because of a hip flexor, said he plans to do everything he normally would, including special teams. … Andre Heidari was the first man up kicking field goals and again seemed to have no trouble doing so. He missed the past two games because of a groin-muscle injury.

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